‘I love hunting, once it’s in you it’s like a drug’

When the Hunting Act was passed on February 18 2005, hunt organisations throughout Great Britain were in turmoil. There was talk of job losses, dogs and horses having to be put down and a way of life being lost.

Eight years on and the spirit of the hunt is still very much alive despite the changes that have had to be made and next weekend the Claro Beagles will be out in force at the Yorkshire Game & Country Fair at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

Albert Hickson has been in hunt service for over 30 years and has been senior master of the Claro Beagles for the past five after coming up north from his homeland of Buckinghamshire for the love of a good woman – Carole Johnston, who works in Thirsk Livestock Market and keeps Albert in touch with what’s happening on farms and land in the Claro area.

He’s seen what has happened to hunting first hand and at one time was master of the Radley College Beagles, which he describes as being like Eton. He educated schoolboys of 13-18 on countryside activities from farming to hunting and although he is saddened about it he is philosophical too. “I love hunting. I always have and always will. Once it’s in you it is like a drug and you can’t shift it. I’m from a farming family and we were all involved in it, my grandparents, parents and sisters. We were all passionate about it but now the buzz for me has gone.

“When the hare used to jump in front of the beagles and run like hell and they were all in full cry after it, that was magical. We haven’t got that now and it’s not the same feeling. Having said that we now have some younger children who never knew that and they are just so excited about what we do have and that’s brilliant because that’s the next generation. They love it the way it is and may never realise the bug that we’re missing.

“What we are all trying to do is to keep the fabric of hunting going, that way if this repeal ever comes about then we will be ready. But I’m losing a bit of faith in whether it ever will be repealed. I pray that it will come back but I just don’t see it. Hunting is now totally different but at least we’re still out there and having fun.

“Job losses have occurred and packs have been reduced because you don’t need as many dogs when they are just following a scent that has been laid down. They just hit the line and off they go. Simulated hunting is not the same as the real thing.

“It’s also now quite difficult for young people to go into hunt service at 18 or 19 years of age as I did.

“I worry that we are not going to find the lads in the future who will keep it going because of it not being as exciting as it used to be.”

Nevertheless Albert, who is now a farm manager in Newton le Willows and runs a flock of pedigree Hampshire Downs, is upbeat about next weekend.

“We are delighted to have been invited to the Yorkshire Game & Country Fair for the first time and we are looking forward to putting on a great display on both days, as well as telling everyone about us. The Claro Beagles hunt area covers a large part of Yorkshire from Tadcaster to Leeds, up to Harrogate, across to Blubberhouses and Pateley Bridge, over to Northallerton and Thirsk and down to York. There are presently 23 pairs in the pack and we will be bringing most of them.”

One of the most amusing comments Albert hears at shows where the foxhounds and beagles are on display together is when the beagles are mistaken for foxhound puppies.

“The foxhound is a much larger breed. They are generally 22-26 ins from their shoulder to the floor; beagles are usually between 14-16 ins. In my experience the beagles are much more friendly and they are incredibly busy dogs. They just never stop and they will run somewhere in the region of between 45-50 miles in an afternoon.”

Albert talks of the Claro Beagles running cost being £15,000 - £20,000 a year. They have their own kennels and kennelman and just a few weeks ago agricultural and gardening contractor Matt Hodgson of Green Hammerton took over.

“We also have a new man to hunt the hounds, Jake Richardson, a farmer’s son from Danby Wiske. It’s good to see new people stepping in and both Matt and Jake are very keen.”

Matt showed no sign of being new to the job when I visited the kennels. He knew every one of the beagles by name, in fact he looked as though he’d been doing it for years. It turns out there is a good reason for that.

“I’ve known Albert ever since he moved up here and I’ve hunted with the Claro for the past two seasons.

“I knew James, the previous kennelman, was leaving and so I decided to apply. The rest of my time I work as a contractor on everything from fencing and walling to regular farm work and garden maintenance.

“I exercise the beagles twice a day, seven days a week by taking them for a five mile walk up hill and down dale.

“Each pack has its own height of beagle that it is particularly looking for. Ours need to be 16in high, whereas others might want theirs to be 14 or 15in.

“We won’t show any beagle that isn’t 16in and we will sell those that don’t measure up to the height we want to those packs that do.”

The Claro Beagles are fed on biscuit and dried meat feed. It is referred to as hound meal and you pour water on to it. This provides all the proteins and minerals the working dogs require.

“Appearing at Newby Hall and wherever we go is very important to us, because we want to encourage more people to get to know us and join this great country pursuit.

“We’re always more than happy to answer any questions about the pack and hunting.”

Yorkshire Game & Country Fair

The West of Yore Hunt will also be appearing at the Yorkshire Game & Country Fair that prides itself on providing the best in country sport. Whilst shooting takes centre stage there will also be a much greater equestrian presence this year.

Other highlights will include Star Shot simulated shooting, which is unique to the north of England; the Yorkshire Hawking Club and working whippets.

The 6th Yorkshire Game & Country Fair will take place at Newby Hall, near Ripon on Sunday May 26 and Monday May 27.